Friction-clutch for traction-engines



(No Model.)

J. G. TITUS.

FRIGTION GLUTGH PoR TRAGTION ENGINES.

1\m. 3o2,449. Patented July 22,1884.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.,

. JOIIN c. TITUs, OE MARION, oIIIO;

FRlCTlON-CLUTCH. FOR `TFZAGTlON-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 302,449, dated ,Tilly 22, 1884.

Application filed Mn To. all whom'it may concern.- Beit known that I, JOHN C. T1TUs,ofMarion, 'in the county of Marion andState of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Friction-Clutch for Traction-Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. f

My invention relates to friction-clutches for traction-engines, the object being to' transmit the power of the engine to the gearing that drives the traction-wheels by means of a fric tion-clutch. A further object is to so arrange the parts that the sleeve that operates the clutch will remain in the position that engages or closes the clutch Without the aid of the shifting-lever. A further object is to pro- ;o' vide an elastic backing for the friction-blocks, `by means of which the traction Inachinerymay `be more gradually setin motion endless strain had on the parts than with devices heretofore used. i With these objects in view my invention consists in certain featureszof construction and in combination-of parts hereinafter described,

and pointed out in the claims.

, In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is 5o a vertical section o f thefriction-clutch, and in elevation the gearing, traction-Wheel, and por- Fig. 2 istions of the boiler and attachments. a side elevation ofthe arm, slide, friction-block, and elastic backing. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line of :n w, Fig. 2.

A represents the boiler resting in part on the axle B, to which are attached the traction- Wheels B.. The train of gears a b c d, transmitting the power fromthe pinion 4e to the ro 'shaft B of the tractionfwheels, may be varied as required, or chain-gearing substituted therefor, if preferred.

, G is thecrank-shaft of the engine, to which is attached the iiy-wheel D, the overhanging rim of which on one side is bored and engages the friction-blocks.

A E is the sleeve journaled on the shaft G,y and has attached the pinion e and the 'radial :5o F are the friction-block supporters that emrcli 17, IHF-I. (No model.)

Iof which are pivotally attached to sleeves G, 'that slide on the sleeve E. The Outer end of the parts E are provided, respectively, with pockets, iii-which are inserted, rst, the elastic backing h, preferablyof rubber, and, next, the friction-block H, that proj eets beyond the side Walls of the pockets and engages the rim of the wheel D. The sleeve G is provided with an annular groove, g', in which operates the forked end of' a iever (not shown) for sliding the sleeve. The sleeve G and the rods giorni a knuckle-joint, that actuates the parts F ina manner Well understood. Y

gagement of the-friction-blocks with the wheel Dis not so positive 'as with ordinary frictionclutch es, so that less strain is had on the parts and the traction machinery is more gradually set in motion.

G is slid up against the arms E', the rods g will have been carried a triie past a straight position Without the aidof the shifting-lever, and by means of the elastic backing the parts straight line, and the pressure on the frictionblocks would not be materially lessened when the rods Vare a'triiie past the said line. screw-bolts n pass4 loosely through the bottom of the pockets and the backing h and engage the blocks by means of which the blocks may be drawn down and held on the rubber and the rubber more or less compressed, cohfining its elasticity to given limits, but Without interfering with a stillfurther compression -of the rubber by the action of the blocks H. The rods g should bein two pieces, respectively, with right and left vhand threads engaging the sleeve i, by means of which the length of the rods 'may be adjusted to take up the wear of the friction-blocks.

.By means of this improved construction the machine may be gradually started or stopped,

when the engine is in full motion. The engine therefore may be controlled by a governor,

taehed one end, of the rods g, the other ends By means of the elastic backing h the cnor run at any speed less than its normal speed By the arrangement of parts, when the sleeve line with each other, and will remain in this will not be strained as the rods g pass the said i The- IOO

leaving the operator to give nis attent-ion entirely to operating the traction machinery.

IWhat I claim isf l. In a friction-clutch forl traction-engines,

4 pinion, friction-blocks con nected to said sleeve and resting on yielding bearings, and devices, substantially as described, for moving the blocks in Contact with the riniof the wheel, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the crank-shaft, .a traction-Wheel, and intermediate gearing, of

the {jy-wheel, sleeve E, provided-with a Dinion and with arms E', block-spports guided on said arm, friction-blocks, and devices, substantially as described, for moving the blocks in contact with the Whee1,substantially asset forth.-

3. Thel combination, with the shaft, the wheel, and sleeve, of the sleeve G, the blocksupports, the blocks, and links g, all of the above parts combined and adapted to operate as described. y

In testimony whereof I sign thisspeci cation, in the presence of two Witnesses, this 10th day of March, 1884.

I JOHN C. TITUS. YVitnesses:

- S. P. KEENE'R,

F. H. CAMPBELL. 

